10 Actors Join Jarmusch’s Limits of Control

Independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch’s new film, the tentatively titled The Limits of Control, has confirmed the addition of ten actors to its cast. Jarmusch started shooting the picture, to which Focus Features has worldwide rights, in Madrid, Spain earlier this month. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.

Joining previously announced lead actor Isaach De Bankolé, in his fourth collaboration with Jarmusch, are Hiam Abbass, whose films include Munich and Paradise Now; Gael García Bernal, of Focus’ Academy Award-winning The Motorcycle Diaries; Paz De La Huerta, whose independent feature work includes the upcoming The Guitar, with De Bankolé; Alex Descas, who starred opposite De Bankolé in the “No Problem” segment of Jarmusch’s Coffee and Cigarettes; two-time Academy Award nominee John Hurt; Youki Kudoh, who starred in Jarmusch’s Mystery Train; Bill Murray, who starred in Jarmusch’s most recent film, Broken Flowers, which was also handled worldwide by Focus; Jean-François Stévenin, whose films include Brotherhood of the Wolf and The Man on the Train; Tilda Swinton, also a Broken Flowers cast member, and currently an Academy Award nominee for her performance in Michael Clayton; and Luis Tosar, whose films include Miami Vice, in which De Bankolé also appeared. Focus is co-financing the film with Entertainment Farm.

In addition to Broken Flowers, Jarmusch’s films include Permanent Vacation, Stranger Than Paradise, Down by Law, Mystery Train, Night on Earth, Dead Man, Year of the Horse, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Coffee and Cigarettes, and the short film INT. TRAILER. NIGHT.

The new film is the story of a mysterious loner (to be played by De Bankolé), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. The film is set in the striking and varied landscapes of contemporary Spain (both urban and otherwise).

Schamus said, “These acclaimed actors span an international spectrum of talent, and are sterling additions to this exciting new project. We have had the pleasure of collaborating with several of them previously, and eagerly anticipate their work with Jim.”

Stacey Smith, who has worked with Jarmusch for over a decade, and Gretchen McGowan (who co-produced the filmmaker’s Coffee and Cigarettes) are producing the new film. Award-winning cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love) is the film’s director of photography; Eugenio Caballero, an Academy Award winner last year for his art direction of Pan’s Labryinth, is the film’s production designer. The filmmaker’s longtime collaborator Jay Rabinowitz will edit the feature. Jon Kilik (Babel) is executive-producing the film, continuing his association with Jarmusch.

President of production John Lyons and senior vice president, international production and post-production Allison Silver are overseeing the project on behalf of Focus.